Barbara McDonald
is the Cove Gallery’s featured Artist
of the month for October 2015
CUTTING EDGE, CUTTING STEEL – A NEW GENRE OF WALL SCULPTURE
Cove Gallery’s Artist of the Month, Barbara McDonald is a former trial attorney who has turned her creative vision to create a new genre of wall sculpture.
Barbara uses a plasma cutter, a torch that reaches extreme temperatures of almost 30,000 degrees Fahrenheit, to cut, carve and texturize steel sculptural elements, which she then mounts, often in layers, on painted cradled boards. The layers may be welded together, or fastened in other appropriate ways.
“Painting with a Plasma Cutter”
A former welding instructor was first to recognize the uniqueness of Barbara’s work when she declared that Barbara “paints with a plasma cutter.” Barbara wields the torch like a brush, drawing freehand directly on the steel and, producing effects that may mimic lace, stone, plants, distant planets and mythical creatures.
Her “brush” of choice, the plasma cutter, is usually employed in industry—where machinists, creating items such as washing machine shells, use it to cut out utilitarian shapes. Barbara finds their appreciation for her work especially gratifying, since they are aware of the skill she uses to coax extraordinary beauty from different forms of steel.
Born into Art
Although she grew up in the home of a classically trained artist, her father and first art instructor, Bedia Thomas, Barbara did not find her personal artistic obsession until, near retirement, she enrolled in a class on metal fabrication. Her vision transcends age and place. It bores into the inner world as well as the cosmic. Even when she is depicting a person, landscape or an animal the work is anything but earth-bound.
Barbara has been at the Cove for the past 4 ½ years. She recently completed a second year at the internationally juried Art-A-Fair Festival that runs for two summer months in Laguna Beach. Prior to the Cove, her work was featured at the Carlsbad Art Gallery and other galleries and venues around San Diego County. Her work is in private collections locally and abroad.
Come meet Barbara McDonald in person at the October Laguna Art Walk Reception on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 6 – 9 pm in the Cove Gallery.
About the Cove Gallery
The Cove Gallery is an artist-owned Gallery featuring 14 accomplished artists specializing in a contrast of styles of beautiful original art in all mediums; oils, acrylics, ceramic and mixed media. They are presented in an ever changing exhibition with the artists there for you to meet and enjoy.
We are steps away from the Surf & Sand Resort in the ART CENTER at 1492 South Coast Highway. Look for the gold Art Center sign and come in to the charming Laguna Style courtyard and relax while you visit great original art and approachable artists who want to help you find your perfect new artwork.
Cove Gallery
1492 South Coast Hwy, #8
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone: (949) 494-1878
Email: covegallery@verizon.net
Gallery Hours:
Wednesday through Monday:
Spring/Fall/Winter: 11am to 5pm Summer Hours: 11am to 6pm
